[Home]
[Main]
[Prev]
September 5, 2020 - Departure via Montreal River
We all got up in the early morning and watched the sun rise as we had breakfast by the lake. Camp was packed away and
we paddled out in the early morning mists on the nicest weather day of the trip. We reversed most of our path from
day 3, carrying over the six portages towards Stillwater lake fairly quickly. We also met the first people we had seen
since the start of the trip, just before the last portage and then quite a few more people on the portage itself. All
were headed in to climb Ishpatina. The carries complete, we paddled out onto the first bay of Smoothwater and rafted
up for a lunch break.
Misty gorgeous morning.
The crossing of Smoothwater went fairly smoothly, despite a bit of wind which we managed by
hugging the bays along the west shore. After a couple of hours of paddling we arrived onto Lady Dufferin and stopped
for a second lunch break at a small sandy beach landing. The trip along the length of this lake took a while as we
had to paddle into the wind for a few kilometers, but once entered into the Montreal River, the wind changed to the
rear and helpfully pushed us along towards the parking area. We passed many motorboats through here, overloaded with
large groups and camping gear. Will be a busy weekend on Smoothwater Lake!
Along the Montreal River.
Finally after many hours of paddling we
arrived back to the access point just as rain arrived, the first drops striking as we paddled the final few meters to
the landing. It was short lived and we could pack up the vehicles in relative dryness as we snacked on some chips and
beer that Debbie had stashed in her truck. After a 7.5 hour day of paddling followed an even longer drive home, marking
the end of a very successful trip.
The gang near the end of the journey.
The End
[Home]
[Main]
[Prev]